Eagles told to prove worth

Sheffield Eagles players have been told to “tough it out” if they are to end a run of results that’s leaving their fans frustrated when they play at Owlerton.

Coach Mark Aston says there’ll be no lack of commitment as the team aim to avoid a sixth home defeat of the season when they play third-placed Halifax tomorrow (kick-off 2pm)

“We thought we were getting there last week but we had a hiccup now we have to get our heads down and show if we’re men or mice,” he said.

“We don’t want it easy we want it tough and we have to get out of the hole we’ve dug ourselves into and what better way than to play a team like Halifax - they are riding high and confident and playing some good rugby.

“Let’s get it sorted out – there’s a lot of guys who are hurting and they want to put it right.”

Leading try-scorer Scott Turner faces a late fitness test on a groin strain picked up in the defeat by Keighley. Will Hope, on loan from Salford is available with Loto Tagaloa and Tom Ashton also added to the squad. Eagles must stop one of their former players Simon Brown who is the key playmaker for Fax.

Aston said: “They have a great kicking game – Simon Brown is putting the ball into the right areas and we know what he can do.

“We are going to have to be good and play for 80 minutes which is what we are not doing at the moment. We are showing glimpses and it’s not down to lack of effort. Going through the review of the Keighley game there’s a lot of guys putting a lot of work in but we look like a team that’s very frustrated. We’re a team that doesn’t believe they can stop teams scoring after a mistake or a penalty.

Fax will be without the suspended Dane Manning but hope to have prop Adam Robinson back.